Safety device for platen-presses.



W. IVI. REICHRT.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR PLATEN PRESSES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I2. 1915.

TI Q2, E Patented July 25, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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W. M. REICHART.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR PLATEN PRESSES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12. 1915.

Patented July 25, 1916.l

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2 W. IVI. REICHART.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR PLATEN PRESSES.

APPLICATION man MAR. 1 2. 1915.

1,1 92,v 1 1 8. Pmnted my 25, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- /T/VESSES:

i@ @L5M W. M. RElCHART.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR PLATE'N PRESSES.

APPLICATIUNMLED MAR.12.1915.

Ti 92, l l 8. Patented J uly 25, 1916.

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WILLIAM IVLREICIIART, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE CHANDLER AND PRICE COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

SAFETY DVICE FOB, PLATEN-.PRESSES Specification of Letters Patent.

raeeneeaaruy 25, 191e.

Application led Ma1ch12, 1915. i Serial No. 13,925.

To all whom t may concern f Be it: known that I, W'ILLIAM M. REICH- Airr, a citizen of the United Sta-tes, and a resident of Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Safety Devices for Platen-Presses and the like, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I hc ve contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

The subject of the present invention is a safety device for platen printing presses, or a similar machine having relatively movable jaws or members.

In platen printing presses the placing of the sheets upon the platen, and the proper positioning of the same, has caused a number of accidents, since the operator, after first placing a sheet thereon, may notice, as the platen moves forward, that the sheet is not properly positioned, and will many times attempt to change the position of the -sheet during the movement of the platen.

To do this he is obliged to interpose his hands between the platen and the bed, from which position he is unable, many times, to remove them in time to prevent crushing by the two members of the press.

The present invention provides an automatically operative means for moving the hands or arms ofthe operator from between the platen and bed if they happen to be left in that position too long, that is until they are in danger of being caught. At the same time, the device is designed so as not toy interfere with :freedom of access to the space in question, to adjust the sheet in the platen, before the parts of the machine close sufficiently to endanger such operator. Particularly in the case of the platen printing press, it desirable to leave the operator free to manipulate the sheet until the grippers on the platen take hold, and since the bed does not come `into dangerous proximity to said platen until this stage in the operation of the press is reached, I provide for the retarded action of the safety device, as will be later explained in detail. y

jWhile for pui-poses of illustration, the device has been herein shown and described solely in connection with a platen printing press, its value in other similar connections and its adaptability thereto will be readily evidentto those skilled in the various arts.

, To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed. out in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in whichthe principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings: Figure l is a side elevation partially illustrating the press, together with one form of my improved def vice; Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing only that part of the press to which the device is attached, and illustrating the latter in its operative position; Fig. 8 is a rear elevation of the safety device, looking from the right of Fig. 2; Fig. f1 is a sideelevation similar to Fig. 1, but illustrating amodification of the actuating means for the device; Fig. 5 is another side elevation showing the construction shown in Fig. 4 in its operative position; and Fig. 6 is a sectional detail, as indicated by the line 6(3, Fig. 5.

Referring, first of all, tothe form of construction illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 more especially, the same is shown as attached to a. platen printing press of more or less familiar construction, including the main frame 1, a movable platen 2, and a. pivotcd arm or bed 3 which carries the form. The construction and mode of operation of this type of printing press being well known, it is not necessary to describe the arrangement and operation of any other parts of the press than those just referred to, since they are not concerned with the present invention. As A to the parts in question, it is suliicient4 to state that in the operation of the press the platen 2 is moved forward, that is to the left, from the position shown in Fig. 1, to the position shown in Fig. 2, and simultaneously the bed 3 is actuated to meet the platen as illustrated .in the last named ligure, such movement of the bed, however, being completedV only after the platen has come to rest. Pivotally attached to the lower edge of the latter are gripping bars or ngers 2a which are suitably actuated, as the platen is thus moved into voperative position, to close back against the same and thus hold in place the inserted sheet designed to receive the impression from the form that is carried by the bed. Since these fingers when thus closed prevent further adjustment of the sheet, the

operator should yremove his hand from bey tween the platen and bed when the former is brought into its full operative position, and the safety ydevice of present interest is designed to insure such removal as has already been explained, and to prevent the insertion of the hand, once this stage in the operation is reached, forthe bed; thereupon vcloses in ings provided in a frame 8. The latter mayy be an integralpart of the platen or platen support if desired, or may be made as a separate member adapted to be detachably secured thereon by means of clamps 9, thus adapting the device for attachment to printing presses already in use. The pivotal axis of the frame is not only eccentric of the ele shafts axis but lies nearer one side than the other of such frame, and a link 10'connects such adjacent side with a fixed arm 11 on the frame 8, so that as the shaft 7 is rocked, an oscillatory or swinging movement will be imparted to said frame vabout such pivotal axis in addition to the bodily movement thereof as it is Vcarried upwardly by the arms 6. The result of this arrangement is to fold said frame, with the screen carried thereby, entirely back and behind the platen in the inoperative position of the latter'illustrated in Fig. 1, or to raise such frame and screen into the outstanding position illustrated in F ig. 2 in the operative position of said platen, it being understood that the rock-shaft is oscillated in the proper vdirection at the proper time to thus correlate the position of the frame tion of the platen.

The shaft 7 is normally rocked toV retain the frame in its folded condition by means of a coil spring 12 surrounding said shaft at one end and having its one end attached to the frame 8 and its other end attached to the adjacent arm 6. Said shaft 7 is adapted to be rocked in thefopposite direction so as to move the frame 8 into its outstanding position by means of a with the posivlost-motion connectiony between an arm 13 fixed on the other end of said shaft and a fixed point 14: on the frame 1 of the machine. This connection preferably consists of a Vrigid link 15 with a short section of'chain 16 so thatit may drop out o f the way in the inoperative position of the platen and serve merely to pull on the arm 13. 1n other words, the slack in this connection provided vby the chain section requires to be taken up before such connection becomes effective as an operating agency, and the arrangement is such that it thus becomes effective only Vin the latter of parts.

The 'operation of the above described mechanism should be readily apparent without further explanation. Briefly stated, as

the platen moves with a more or less oscillatory movement from theposition shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 2, the connection made up of link 15 and chain 16 becomes taut, and thereupon the shaft 7 is rocked through a certain angle, thereby bodily throwing the frame upwardly, such frame being at the same time oscillated about its pivotal connection with the arms 6 so that it assumes the upstanding position shownF in Fig. 2. This position, it will be under-v stood, is assumed before the bed of the machine closes down on the platen so that they operator,.if he has carelessly left his hand between these two parts too long, will have such hand forcibly withdrawn by the action of Jthe guard striking his arm. doreover, once such guard is raised, owingto the imperforate screen 5, he cannot readily stick and so further endanger himself. Y

The modification rin construction illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 relates wholly to the means provided for operating, that Yis for oscillating, the rock shaft, which supports and actuates the guard proper. Accordingly, any description of the guard and shaft, with their appurtenant parts, is unnecessary in this connection. ln place, however, of a flexibe link connection, such as previously described, connecting the arm 13 on the rock-shaft 7 with a fixed point 14 on the main frame 8, a somewhat modified form of link connection is utilized which connects such arm with a movable member,

'the latter being moved incidentally to movement of the bed of the press instead of incidentally to movement of the platen, The

les

Vhis hand back between the platen and bed,

can

member in question consists of a lever 18 having its lower end pivoted to the main frame about a pin 19. The connection between the upper end of this bar and said arm 13 comprises, in addition to a cham section 20, corresponding to chain section 16, an extensible link made up of two relatively slidable parts 21 and Q2, between w-hich is interposed a compression spring 23 so that after the connection as a whole has been drawn taut by oscillation of the lever, the latter may still have a further limited range of movement. For thus moving said lever, a bar 2ais connected at its one end thereto at a point intermediate between such levers ends, said bar being slidably supported on a roller-guide 25, and having its other end disposed to be engaged by the bed, as the latter swings toward the platen. Since there may be some slight differences in the bed, l preferably fit a set screw 2G in the adjacent end of said bar 2li so as to provide an adjustable stop, as it were, against which the bed will come into contact. in the operation of this modified form of my device, it will be observed that the platen may assume its final operative position without the guard frame i being actuated at all, such actuation being timed to occur incidentally to the final closing movement of the bed of the press, Or such operation may be made a two-stage one, part being derived from the movement of the platen, and the remainder from the movement of the bed. Where such two-stage effect is desired, all that is necessary is that the lever 18 be held against oscillation to the left so as to constitute ofy its upper end'a temporarily fixed point ofV attachment for the link connection. By reason of the interposition of the spring 23, provision may be made for the raising of the guard frame to its full height before the bed has entirely closed, although this is really unnecessary, since it can be raised to a sufficient height long enough prior to such closure to insure the withdrawal of the operators hand.

Neither of the two constructicnal forms of my device herein illustrated and described involve any complex mechanism or modification in the construction of the. printing presses to which they are more especially designed to be attached. Moreover, operation of the device may obviously be derived from movement either of the member on which it is supported (the platen in the ease. in hand), as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or from the other moving member which cooperates with such first" member, such other member being the bed in the present instance, or from both of said members. lt is thus accordingly made possible to ytime the operation of the guard so as to leave the operator as much time as possible for manipulation of the article which is to be gripped between said moving members, and yet insure safety against accident. It will be understood, of course, that the aforesaid platen and bed may be considered typical of relatively moving jaws in any type of machine, whether printing press cr not, between which an operator may be liable to leave or place his hands incidentally to the operation of the machine. Accordingly, l do not regard my invention as limited in its field of usefulness to printing presses merely, although it is particularly adaptable for such use.

@ther modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

l therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. in a safety device for a machine having two jaws, one movable relatively to the other, the combination of a rock-shaft mounted on one such jaw.; a guard pivotally attached to said shaft eccentrically of the latters axis; a link connecting said guard with a point fixed relatively to said shaft; and means adapted to rock said shaft.

2. In a safety device for a machine having two jaws, one movable relatively to the other, the combination of a rock-shaft mounted on one such jaw; a guard pivot ally attached to said saaft eccentrically of the latters anis; a link connecting said guard with a point fixed relatively to said shaft; and means adapted to rock said shaft including an arm on said shaft and a lostmotionconnection between said arm and a relatively fixed point on said machine.

3. In a safety device for a machine having two jaws, one movable relatively to the ther, kthe combination of a rock-shaft mounted on one such jaw; a guard pivotally attached to said shaft eccentrically of the latters axis; a link connecting said guard with a point fixed relatively to said shaft; and means adapted to rock said shaft including an arm ou said shaft and a ilexible link wnnecting` said arm and a relatively fixed point on said machine.

a1. ln a safety device `for a machine having two jaws, one movable relatively to the other, the combination, of a rockeshaft iounted on one such jaw; a guard pivotally attached to said shaft eccentrically of the latters axis; a link connecting said guard with a point fixed relatively to said shaft; and means adapted to rock said shaft, said means being operable by such movable jaw.

In a safety device for a machine having two jaws, one movable relatively to the other, the combination of a rock-shaft mounted on one such jaw; a guard pivotally attached to said shaft eccentrically of llt! other; the combination of a rock-shaft mounted on one such jaw; a guard pivotally attached to said shaft eccentrically of the latters axis; a link connecting said guard with a point fixed relatively to said shaft; means normally positioning said guard; and yother means adapted to rock said shaft against said first-named means,

said last-named means including an arm on f said shaft and a lost-motion connection between said arm and a relatively fixed point on said machine.

7. ln asafety device for a machine having two jaws, one movable relatively to the other, the combination of a rock-shaft mounted on one such jaw; a guard pivotally attached to said shaft eccentrically of the latters axis; a link connecting said guard with a point fixed relatively to said shaft; means normallyV positioning said guard; and other means adapted to rock said shaft against said first-named means, said last-named ineansincluding an arm on said shaft and flexible link connecting said and a relatively fixed point Von said machine. Y

8. In a safety device for a machine having two jaws, one movable relatively to the other, the combination of a rock-shaft mounted on the relatively stationary jaw; a guard pivotally attached to said shaft eccentrically yof the latters axis; a link connecting said guard 'with a point fixed relatively to said shaft; and means adapted to rock said shaft, said means being operable by said movable jaw.

9. In a safety device for a machine having two jaws, one movable relatively to the other, the combination of a rock-shaft mounted on the relatively stationary jaw; a guard pivotally attached to said shaft eccentrically of the latters axis; a link connecting saidy guard with a point fixed relatively to said shaft; and means adapted to rock said shaft including an arm on said shaft, a member adapted to be moved by said relatively movable j aw, and a connection between said arm and member.

10. In a safety device for a machinekhavingtwo jaws, one movable relatively to the other, Vthe combination of a rock-shaft mounted on the relatively stationary jaw; a guard 'pivotally attached to said shaft eccentrically of the latters axis; a link connecting said guard with a point fixed relatively to said shaft; and means adapted to lOQl said shaft including an arm on said shaft, a member adapted to be moved by.

said relatively vmovable, jaw, vand a flexible link connecting said arm and member.

12. In a safety devicefor a machine having two jaws, one movable relatively to the other, the combination of a rock-shaft mounted on the relatively stationary jaw; a guard pivotally attached to said shaft eccentrically of the latters axis; a link connecting said guard with a point fixed relatively to said shaft; means normally posi'- tioning said guard; and other means adapted to rock said shaft against said first-named means, said last-named means including an arm on said shaft, a member' adaptedto be moved by said relatively movable'j aw, and a connection between said arm and member.

13. ln a safety device for a machine having two jaws, one movable relatively to the other, the combination o-f a rock -shaft mounted on the-relatively stationary jaw; a guard pivotally attached to said shaft eccentrically of the latters axis; a linkconnecting said guard with a point fixed relatively to said shaft; means normally positioning said guard; and other means adapted to rock said shaft against said first-named. means, said last-named means including an arm on said shaft, a member adapted to be moved by said relatively movable jaw, and a lostmotion connection between said arm and member. a

lll. ln a safety device for a machine having two jaws, one movable relatively to the other, the combination of a rockshaft mounted on the relatively stationary jaw; a guard pivotally attached to said shaft eccentrically of the latters axis; a link connecting said guard with a point fixed relatively to said shaft; means normally positioning said guard; and other means adapted to rock said shaft against said rst-named means, said last-named means ,including an arm on said shaft, a member adapted to be moved by said relatively movable jaw, and a flexible link connecting said arm and member. Y

l5. In a safety device for a machine lhaving two jaws, independently movable rela-V tively to each other, thecombination of fa rock shaft mounted on one such jaw; a guard pivotally attached to said shaft eccentrically of the latters axis; a link connecting said guard with a point fixed relatively to said shaft; and means adapted to rock said shaft incidentally to movement of said jaws.

16. In a safety device for a machine having two jaws, independently movable relatively to veach other, the combination of a rock-shaft mounted on one such jaw; a guard pivotally attached to said shaft eccentrically of the latters axis; a link connecting said guard with a point fixed relatively to said shaft; andmeans adapted to rock said shaft incidentally to movement of first one, then the other, of said jaws.

17. In a safety device for a machine having two jaws, independently movable relatively to each other, the combination of a rock-shaft mounted on one such jaw; a guard pivotally attached to said shaft eccentrically of the latters axis; a link connecting said guard with a point fixed relatively to said shaft; and means adapted to rock said shaft incidentally to movement first of the jaw carrying said shaft and then of the other jaw.

18. In a safety device for a machine having two jaws, independently movable relatively to each other, the combination of a rock-shaft mounted on one such jaw; a guard pivotally attached to said shaft eccentrically of the latters axis; a link connecting said guard with a point fixed relatively to said shaft; means normally positioning said guard; and othermeans adapted to rock said shaft against said first-named means, said last-named means including an arm on said shaft, an oscillatory lever, a connection between said arm and lever, and a slidable bar connected with said lever to oscillate the same and adapted to be engaged by the other such movable jaw.

n 19. In a safety device for a machine having two jaws, independently movable relatively to each other, the combination of a rock-shaft mounted on one such jaw; a guard pivotally attached to said shaft eccentrically of the latters axis; a link connecting said guard with a point fixed relatively to said shaft; means normally positioning said guard; and other means adapted to rock said shaft against said first-named means, said last-named means including an arm on said shaft, an oscillatory lever', a lost-motion connection between said arm and lever, and a slidable bar connected with said lever to oscillate the same and adapted to be engaged by the other such movable jaw.

20. In a safety device for a machine having two jaws, independently movable rela-- tively to each other, the combination of a rock-shaft mounted on one such jaw; a

guard pivotally attached to said shaft eccentrically of the latters axis; a link connecting said guard with a point fixed relatively to said shaft; means normally positioning said guard; and other means adapted to rock said shaft against said first-named means, said last-named means including an arm on said shaft, an oscillatory lever, a connection between said arm and lever, a slidable bar of adjustable length connected with said lever to oscillate the same and adapted' to be engaged by the other such movable jaw.

Signed by me this 5th day of March, 1915.

WILLIAM M. REICHART.

Attested by- D. W. FRACKELTON, RALPH S. TYLER.

Uopies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

